Madison — Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp on Tuesday defended Gov. Scott Walker's plan to turn the Natural Resources Board into an advisory panel, instead of one that makes policy, even as she acknowledged she had not been consulted on the proposal in advance.

"I feel that it's extra layers," Stepp said of the board in a briefing to the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee. "I think it's duplicative."

The idea has sparked opposition from Democrats as well as some of Walker's fellow Republicans. Sen. Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) said he had "some concerns" about the plan.(52)

If Park Bank is liable for not spotting Sujata "Sue" Sachdeva's $34 million embezzlement from Koss Corp., then so is chief executive Michael Koss, the bank argues in a new lawsuit.

In a suit filed last week, the bank argues that if a jury finds Park Bank liable for the loss, then Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, the firm's former auditor, should have to pay some of the award.

"Park Bank denies any and all liability to Koss in this case," Park Bank wrote in its action. "Nevertheless, should Park Bank be found liable to Koss (Corp.) and required to pay damages to Koss in this case those damages will have been the result of a common liability of Park Bank, Michael Koss and Grant Thornton, thereby entitling Park Bank to (a) contribution from Michael Koss and Grant Thornton."(1)

BBWAA takes away Dan Le Betard's HOF vote

In response to Miami Herald columnist Dan Le Betard turning over his Baseball Hall of Fame vote to the website Deadspin, the Baseball Writers Association of America announced Thursday that he no longer will have a vote and that his membership will be suspended for a year. »Read Full Blog Post

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One of the reasons that baseball has declined in popularity is the stoddgy old-school baseball purists. I thought LeBatard's protest was interesting. He highlighted a flawed process and the need for baseball to deal with the era of drug users that they not only allowed, but promoted. The all-time hit leader is still not in the HoF because of a vendetta of Bud Selig. The sport is far less competitive than football because they will not implement a salary cap.

Maybe this was an insignificant protest, but baseball needs to wake up and understand that they are losing fans because of the elitist attitude. I try to take my kids to at least 8-10 games every year, but it becomes harder as they get older because very few of their friends like baseball.

Something has to change for baseball to be a part of the next generation.

The all-time hit leader voluntarily agreed to a lifetime ban from baseball.The agreement was a result of Rosé refusing to meet with then Commissioner Giamatti because he did not want to admit to betting on baseball while playing and managing.Then years later he admittedi it only in in the form of a book,probably just to sell more books to make money.If Rosé would have admitted everything from the beginning and not lied all those years he would have served a suspension,there would have been no ban and he would be in the HOF.As far as baseball goes,I think if you look at attendance figures the ten highest years of attendance have come in the last decade,not exactly a decline in interest.A salary cap will never be implemented unless you can a strike by MLPA.It was tried in 1994 by the owners,the season was lost and the owners lost in court for

I don't think the fanbase is growing, though, BSBLFN. And the unfairness of competition (real or perceived) due to the rich clubs signing the players turns many off.

Rose did make his own bed. But baseball is continuing to condone leaving players out of the hall due to PEDS, and as Kareem says they were active participants in the Sosa/McGwire years.

And I find this action by the BBWAA silly. There are no standards for voting, so each voter sets up his own. That's OK, but to then punish a writer for doing so is just another hypocritical act by baseball in total. Yeah, I know they said it was because he turned over his ballot...but we saw all of the JS writers' ballots. While I don't agree with leaving all players from that era off a ballot, I think it is a legitimate way to deal with it.

There's a lot of debate about the Rose-Giammati agreeement. Rose's assertion that Giammati agreed to consider reinstatement in a year seems reasonable and is consistent with "lifetime" bans across other sports (Steve Howe, Johnny Jolly).

Attendance figures are higher, but are somewhat driven by the "event" that stadiums hold on game day, one aspect of which is baseball. Miller Park is awesome and draws all different people for all different reasons. But, you can look at whether baseball is gaining traction for the future - ratings among demographic groups under 45 are bad, little leagues face declining enrollment consistently losing to soccer, lacrosse, etc. - and see that its not.

Baseball hasn't embraced that competition is its greatest asset. Its also not placed an emphasis on fiscal responsibility. Could an MLB team go bankrupt with millions of future payroll commitments? Its also failed to grasp the concept of "leaving your audience wanting more" How many TV networks are going to smaller seasons? Lots. 162 games is just too many. How do you sell season tickets to people that have jobs and expect them to take 81 days and see the game?

Not saying baseball is dying, but I am saying that its one generation (at most) from being in real trouble. And the issue is traditionalists holding onto too many "unwritten rules" that no one understands. And I think Le Batard highlighted this.

I liked the move by LeBetard. The Hall of Fame has become a joke anyway. Not because the roid boys aren't in. They should never get in, but it's a bunch of old crotchety geriatrics anyway. Funny though. There's conflicting reports. I heard on one of the national shows that his vote has been taken away for life.

Tom revealed his ballot in the paper before the announcements were made, with detailed explanations of why he voted as he did. More witch hunting from MLB and their apparent lackey writers' organization.

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